1. Spring Bound With New Twists & Fresh Looks:
What’s Hot & How to Make It Yours!
Part One of a Series
by Nancy J. Hall @HallofCouture
Yet another article on fashion. So, what’s in this for you? Bear with me and you’ll discover
your own fashion potential.…
I decided to finally combine my passions and make some dreams come true for myself. After
all, I’m the only one who’s going to do that. Writing and fashion are two of my greatest loves.
But what fresh perspective could I possibly bring to the style table? I’m not mean-spirited, so I
didn’t want to engage in all-out celebrity bashing (although I’m sure I won’t be able to avoid
some sarcastic quips – I just can’t help myself!). I can’t offer the perspective of a model, fashion
designer, or industry insider. I’m not on the frontlines of any fashion meccas. However, I do
know what’s in and what’s out. I know intuitively what does and doesn’t work. I know what
looks great and what flatters. I know what’s feasible for the working woman to wear all day and
what she can pull off beautifully on nights out. I am more than aware of what she can afford. I
know what clothes play up assets and disguise what we’d prefer to minimize. As someone
who’s been to Manhattan, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and London (I even lived in England a few
years), I understand the culture and language of fashion as well as the hometown longing to
experience it. I get it. I am you.
My mission is to examine fashion trends, contribute meaningful, entertaining commentary, and
make fashion both an accessible and attainable concept for the everyday woman, the real woman,
the mother, the wife, the sister, the daughter, the grandmother, the executive, the bachelorette,
and the home-maker. YOU can be a part of it!
First, I ask you to be comfortable with what I’m about to say, what no one in the fashion industry
talks about: Fashion does not always equal pretty or even flattering, and that’s where it often
fails the common woman or man. Just look at the runways if you don’t believe me. So what do
you and I actually do with it all? We become aware of the trends. We know where to shop and
we go, translating these trends into something that will work for us.
Second, understand that not all looks will flatter you. I’ll be honest with you about this: If you
frequently suffer from muffin top, this season’s midriffs are not your thing. If your thighs are
big, long slits and the “Angelina Jolie leg” should be off your radar entirely. Inventory your
body and figure out your body type and its perceived pros and cons (at least, in your perception)
from a style perspective. And remember this: What you think is a ‘negative’ about your body
may actually contribute to a gorgeous look, depending on how you style and accessorize
yourself.
Third and most important, know that something in every season can and will translate for you in
some form. You can be sharp, you can be pretty, you can be chic – The secret is understanding
your own uniqueness. Your personality. Your likes and dislikes. And uncovering your style, so
to speak. I’m here to help you with that. Let’s get started.

2. I’m a fan of Fashion Police, so I’m going to use that as a starting point, but I’ll be adding my
own observations and input so that this exploration is meaningful for you as well as combining
their views with other ideas. I’ve also done plenty of research on my own from a real variety of
sources. It’s useless for you if I simply regurgitate what others have already reported, so let me
guide you on this journey so that it becomes uniquely yours….
The fabulous Kelly Osbourne and George Kotsiopoulos just came out with an E! special on their
Spring 2013 trend forecasts. The both agreed on the Number One trend: black and white.
Thankfully, we can all handle this one, regardless of coloring or body type. Louis Vuitton, Marc
Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein are all working this look. Klein’s
looks in particular are crisp, defined, and flattering. My thoughts: Black and white is at its
hottest when incorporated into graphics and structure (Hasn’t style icon Gwen Stefani been
showing us this for years?). You can use lines and shapes to play tricks on the eye….Just think
of those optical illusion games we’ve all played – Which object is bigger? They’re both the
same size; it’s simply the magic of the lines. Or if you’re a bit more mature or conservative,
wear white with black accents or black with white accents. You can put this look together in
almost any clothing store and in any price range.
Kelly said cool tones, such as turquoise and emerald, are the next big thing. Michael Kors and
Proenza Schouler are flashing these beautiful colors on the runways. George announced that hot
shades are the new deal – hot red, candy apple, fuchsia, etc., citing such designers as Gucci,
Burberry Porsum, and Valentino. I have to go with Kelly on this one. Pantone, an industry
leader in all things color, named Monaco Blue as the “it” color for spring. In case you’re
wondering what that is (I know I did), I’d call it a cross between royal blue and slate blue. Stella
McCartney (in my opinion, the designer to watch this year – she’s only getting better!) has done
some wonderful new creations in this color. The really GREAT news for you and me? This
shade of blue works with all coloring! Whether you’re blonde, brunette, red-headed, light
skinned, tanned, or a woman of color, you can make this hue really flattering on you. Paris
Vogue street fashions in Monaco Blue show up in outfits by Louis Vuitton, Maison Martin
Margiela, J.W. Anderson, Mary Katrantzou, and Haider Ackerman.
Kelly predicted “extreme structure” as the latest fad, featured with such designers as Givenchy.
These styles are oragami-ish in nature, using overlapping shapes and sharp lines. Jennifer
Lawrence’s lovely tangerine gown at the Golden Globes this year showed off a bit of this style in
the bodice of her dress. George, on the softer side, named ruffles as the “it” look. I’m really
seeing a lot of large, flouncy ruffles used with a great deal of class and youthful chic. Gucci’s
mint ruffled gown has shown up on Jessica Alba (the 2/13/13 issue of In Style) and model Rosie
Huntington-Whitely. Definitely the way to go. However, a word of caution: If you’re full-
figured, choose your ruffles and their placement very carefully if you choose to wear them. Even
some very slim women can look very awkward in huge misplaced flounces!
Sheers are another new and creative look we’re seeing everywhere. Designer Jason Wu has
incorporated these into his spring line. The fresh take on sheers is that they’re being used to
softly compliment the delicacy, texture, and dimension of otherwise harsh or boring outlines.
They can add femininity and layered color. My favorite thing about them is that they can mask
imperfections (or what we perceive as imperfections) such as pale legs.

3. Kelly named graphics, such as checkered fabrics, stripes, and patterns, as her 5th place trend,
citing Marc Jacobs as a perfect example. I personally would have put this on top along with
black and white – I’m seeing it everywhere. George’s 5th pick was featherweight leather which
is a twist this spring. It’s refreshing and the height of chic if you wear it correctly. Very mod!
Alexander Wang has some terrific new outfits using this material.
Those are the top styles for Spring 2013! Now you’re informed. If you’re intimidated by
designer names, look them up online. Simply do a web search on them – Believe me, you won’t
have to look far. Plus, it’s just fun!
So how do we commoners, as they say in Britain, translate these trends into everyday, affordable
wear? Thankfully, stores like Kohl’s and Target are now carrying major designers, often on a
limited edition run. Kohl’s features Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Narciso Rodriguez,
Simply Vera Vera Wang, and Derek Lam. Target carries Gwen Stefani’s line Harajuku Mini for
kids on an ongoing basis. Target also hosts Prabal Gurung, Carolina Herrera (a new favorite of
mine!), Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, and Diane von Furstenberg. H
& M has a very affordable selection of spring style from peplums to cool colors to black and
white graphic prints and lightweight leather. They’ve even carried such names as Karl
Lagerfeld. See? If you can’t make it to Paris, you still have great options.
Take heart, budding fashionistas (and guys, too!)! Your trendy, chic, and classic updated new
look is right around the corner (or at least down the street)!
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